BSA Shaun Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 (edited) A new sniper system has been developed that will give snipers in the Armed Forces more power, precision and stealth than ever before Snipers from 16 Air Assault Brigade, who are due to deploy on operations later this month, put the new L115A3 rifle through its paces, firing at targets with pinpoint accuracy from 900 yards (823 metres) away. The rifle fires a larger calibre round over longer distances and has a state-of-the-art telescopic sight with twice the magnifying power of the old version. It is also equipped with brand new all-weather day and night sights, which will give snipers round the clock capability, something that they have not had before. In the current climate, the need for snipers on operations has increased. They are vital in helping to engage targets at a range sufficient enough to keep the threat at a safe distance. Their ability makes them high value targets for the enemy and so it is essential that they are well equipped. This new rifle will make them even more effective. A senior officer at the Support Weapons School in Warminster said: "With this new rifle we now expect to be able to engage a target at 1,500 metres. With the old version it was about 1,000 metres. "Every soldier wants to be a sniper as they're held in extremely high regard. Battalions are desperate to send soldiers here for training and our courses are always full." Divisional Instructor for the sniper training course, 'Howie', is responsible for ensuring snipers across the Army are well trained and know the full capability of the kit. He said: "Feedback from the guys who have used this weapon is really positive. They are impressed with the range and the firepower it offers. It really is an awesome bit of kit." This significant investment demonstrates how highly snipers are regarded in fighting the enemy at range but also to minimise so-called 'collateral damage' Colonel Peter Rafferty, the Defence Equipment and Support Dismounted Close Combat Team leader, explained: "Snipers give our forces the ability to remove high-value targets without collateral damage. They represent precision attack and a covert surveillance capability. To that end they represent a weapon system and the whole system requirement is being met by this programme, a result of listening to experienced practitioners of the art of sniping. "I am delighted with the results that the project team has achieved and the depth of co-operation the user community, sponsor and industry developed to deliver this much needed upgrade to a core capability." The 580 weapons have been produced by British firm Accuracy International Ltd based in Portsmouth and the day sights are manufactured by Schmidt & Bender. Other elements of the Sniper System Improvement Programme include night sights, laser range finders and tripods. "Feedback from the guys who have used this weapon is really positive. They are impressed with the range and the firepower it offers. It really is an awesome bit of kit." This significant investment demonstrates how highly snipers are regarded in fighting the enemy at range but also to minimise so-called 'collateral damage'. Edited March 12, 2008 by BSA Shaun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Shaun, that's now the third thread about the Army's 'new' rifle.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSA Shaun Posted March 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Ah well just trying to be informative :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilishdave Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 It is a Schmidt and Bender PM2 that is on top of it. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyjaimz Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Shaun, that's now the third thread about the Army's 'new' rifle.... 1st one i've come accross :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vole Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Why not just buy more of the .50 Barrett or have they both got such different uses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flash Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 the 50 cal is more of a anti material rifle then a anti personal rifle. although when used as an anti personel round it really gets the point across lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSA Shaun Posted March 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 To re-enforce what Flash has stated: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrett_.50 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 The thing with big guns is the ammo weighs a lot more, the barrels are heavier etc. Imagine carrying 300 rounds of 5.56.. no problem! but you wont be able to carry 300 rounds of .50 call ammo. :blink: From what I know you are not allowed to shoot enemy soldier with anti matiriel weapons (unless they are in the vehicle/building) so the .338 will allow kills to be made where the .50 cannot. I really dont see what the hype about this gun is?? .338 has been around ages, and the folding AI stock has been around for a while, as has NV systems.. id be willing to be there are plenty of US hunters with better bits of kit then that, and certainly did not cost £23,000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flash Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 exactly right hunter. its a nice enough gun but i can see how they justify 23 grand a piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highseas Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 what you cant shoot the enimy with a .50 if he is shooting at me he would get it ime sorry .50 or not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flash Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 something to do with the geneva convention. similar to the bannin of anti personel mines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highseas Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 BUT if some taliban was launching motars at you and you had one on them bad boys i know what i would do it will make em think next time thou wont it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 I think the main point has been missed. Most "in the know" accurate rifle shooters have known for some time that the Army has been slow to take up the latest technology. I think what this shows is a fresh and somewhat unusual approach to adopting the very best of what is available AND works under army conditions. In electronics "commercial" is seen as low grade, then you have "automotive" which is seen as a very high standard of capability (environmental more than most other considerations) - then you have military. Whatever is seen as military grade has to be able to be transported, supplied and used in the very extreme and harsh environments an army might deploy. You train a bunch of men in one thing, you can't very well turn around realising your scope choice doesn't work at -30C and supply another which has completely different characteristics for that environment. You hear all these stories about troops being under equipped or having the "standard" kit malfunction in modern battlefield environments - understandable when you look at the stuck in the mud "one size fits all" attitude of "the old guard" management in the modern army. I can't comment on the price they are being charged for each rifle, but I do know if you contract a company that knows more than a little something about accuracy then that will cost you. You need something which ticks all the boxes, this more often than not means a compromise - in this case I think the army thinking has caught up with current trends - got to be a good thing :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highseas Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 eye what ever he said :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perfect Posted March 13, 2008 Report Share Posted March 13, 2008 guess its this one ? http://www.boinkme.com/information-and-pic...ifle-l115a3/143 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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